Intechangeable covering additions to a mobile communication device for display and key reorientation

ABSTRACT

A mobile communications device including an interchangeable covering addition for display and key reorientation is provided.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application, claimingpriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No 10/346,017, filed on Jan.16, 2003, entitled Interchangeable Covering Additions to a MobileCommunication Device for Display and Key Reorientation, which itself isa continuation-in-part application, claiming prior to

[0002] (a) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/767,526, filed Jan. 22,2001, entitled “A Wireless Mobile Phone with Inverted Placement ofAntenna and Input Keypad”;

[0003] (b) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/087,098, filed Mar. 1,2002, entitled “Personalizing Electronic Devices and Smart Covering”,which itself claims priority to its provisional filing No. 60/306,326,on Jul. 17, 2001; and

[0004] (c) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/932,154, filed Aug. 17,2001, entitled “Mobile Electronic Device and Covering for SimilarDevices with Ornament Attachment Mechanism”, which itself claimspriority to its provisional filing No. 60/292,123, on May. 17, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 1. Field of the invention

[0006] The invention relates to the field of portable electronicdevices. More specifically, the present invention relates tomodification of portable electronic devices through the use of devicecoverings.

[0007] 2. Background Information

[0008] Mobile communications devices, such as cellular phones,wireless-enabled personal digital assistants (PDAs), and two-way pagers,have become very prevalent in many of regions of the world, such as theUnited States, Asia, and Europe. There are many different configurationsof mobile communications devices depending on the application for use onthe mobile communications device, current conditions surrounding the useof the mobile communications device or the personal preferences of theuser using the mobile communications device.

[0009] The personal preference of the user of the mobile communicationsis one factor driving the different configurations of mobilecommunications devices. For example, with wireless-enabled PDAs someusers prefer the use of a stylus to “hand write” information for entryinto the wireless-enabled PDAs. In contrast, other users prefer that awireless-enabled PDA contain a miniaturized QWERTY keyboard tofacilitate the entry of data. Note that, at times, different users withdifferent person preferences may share use of a mobile communicationsdevice.

[0010] Certain environmental conditions may effect the desired user of amobile communications device. For example, a user may have a preferenceto use a mobile communications device with a keypad located below thedisplay device.

[0011] However, under particularly sunny conditions, the user may decidethat having the keypad above the display, so that the shadow from thehand on the keypad blocks direct sunlight, is a more desirableconfiguration.

[0012] Mobile communications device may be loaded with a number ofdifferent applications. For example, a mobile communications device maybe used in a configuration as a wireless mobile telephone. In such acase the most desirable input method is via a traditional numeric inputkeypad found on most wireless mobile telephones. At a second time,however, a mobile communications device may be used to record notes at ameeting attended by the user. In this usage mode, it is more desirableto have a traditional QWERTY keyboard for entering data.

[0013] Thus, various factors determine the desired method of interactionwith today's mobile communications devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a body of a mobile communicationsdevice and an interchangeable covering for the mobile communicationsdevice, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a modified mobile communications device and theresultant reorientations, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates the modified mobile communications device ofFIG. 2 properly oriented for use.

[0017]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a top view of a mobile communicationsdevice and an interchangeable covering, respectively, in accordance withone embodiment.

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a mobile communications deviceand an interchangeable covering joined.

[0019]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of a mobilecommunications device and an interchangeable covering, respectively.

[0020]FIG. 7 illustrates a modified mobile communications device, inaccordance with one embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 8 illustrates the modified mobile communications device ofFIG. 7 reoriented with the display device oriented to the right of thekeypad.

[0022]FIG. 9A illustrates a mobile communications device, in accordancewith one embodiment.

[0023]FIGS. 9B and 9C illustrate an interchangeable covering for themobile communications device of FIG. 9A.

[0024]FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a modified mobile communicationsdevice resulting from the mobile communications device andinterchangeable coverings of FIGS. 9A-9B.

[0025]FIG. 11 illustrates an architectural view of one embodiment of apersonal electronic device in the form of a mobile communication deviceincorporating the teachings of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 12 illustrates an electronic component of an interchangeablecovering, in accordance with one embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 13 illustrates other possible redefinitions andreorientations of the input keypad and display screen of a mobilecommunication device, in accordance with various alternate embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Embodiments of an interchangeable covering for use with mobilecommunication devices such as cellular phones, wireless PDAs, two-waypagers and pocket PCs are described herein. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are set forth to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled inthe relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can bepracticed without one or more of the specific details, or with othermethods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0029] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments.

[0030]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a body of a mobile communicationsdevice 110 and an interchangeable covering 160 for the mobilecommunications device 110, respectively, in accordance with oneembodiment. Upon proper placement of the interchangeable covering 160with respect to the mobile communications device 110, various aspects ofthe mobile communications device 110 or other components are modified toreflect a changed interaction mode.

[0031] The mobile communications device 110 encases a set of electroniccomponents typically associated with a mobile communications device. Themobile communications device 110 includes a display device 115 andnumeric keys 125 127. As shown in FIG. 1A, the mobile communicationsdevice 110 is in a default configuration, i.e. with numeric keys 125-127complementing display device 115 from beneath. FIG. 1B illustrates aninterchangeable covering 160 comprising, among other things, a displaywindow 150 and a plurality of keycaps 155 157. The interchangeablecovering 160 also contains electronic components (disposed “inside” thecovering, not visible for the illustrated view). The electroniccomponents within the interchangeable covering 160 act to at leastfacilitate redefining one or more aspects of the combined mobilecommunications and interchangeable covering device. The one or moreaspects include at least re-orienting numeric keys 125-127 to complementdisplay device 115 from a different orientation, e.g. from above.

[0032] This redefinition of aspects of the combined mobilecommunications and interchangeable covering device is accomplished, insome embodiments, by providing configuration data to the mobilecommunications device 110 by the interchangeable covering 160, toactivate the alternate logic within mobile communication device 110. Inother embodiments, the electronic components provide a portion of thelogic to effectuate the redefinition, and data (such as, resourcelocators) to facilitate retrieval of the remaining needed logic toeffectuate the redefinition. In these embodiments, mobile communicationdevice 110 includes the capability of retrieving data from remotelocations. In yet other embodiments, the electronic components includeall the logic necessary to effectuate the redefinition.

[0033] The interchangeable covering 160 is designed to at leastpartially cover the mobile communications device 110. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the interchangeable covering 160 isdesigned to slide over the mobile communications device 110. When inplace, with respect to the mobile communications device 110, theinterchangeable covering 160 modifies the mobile communications device110 to form a modified mobile communications device 200. FIG. 2illustrates the mobile communications device 110 which has mated to itthe interchangeable covering 160 to form a modified mobilecommunications device 200.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the interchangeable covering 160 (through itsfeatures and embedded data/logic) modifies both the display ofinformation on the display device 120 as well as the functionsassociated with the input keys 125 127. In one embodiment, the textdisplayed 120 on the display device 115 in the default configuration isshown displayed upright when the mobile communications device 110 isheld in a manner such that the input keys 125 127 are disposed below thedisplay device 115. Upon placement of the interchangeable covering 160over the mobile communications device 110, the display of the text 220on the display device 115 is reoriented. In addition, functionsassociated with the input keys 125 127 on the mobile communicationsdevice 110 are redefined by the interchangeable covering 160. Forexample, on the mobile communications device 110, key 125 has a functionassociated with it wherein, when pressed, a “1” will be entered into thepresently active application of the mobile communications device 110.The interchangeable covering 160 contains keycaps 155 157, marked withthe appropriate markings, to indicate the redefined function of theinput keys 125 127 when the input keys 125 127 are pressed on themodified mobile communications device 200. That is, the keycaps 155 157indicate what the corresponding redefined functions of the inputs keys125 127 will be when the interchangeable covering 160 is in place withrespect to the mobile communications device 110.

[0035] For example, when the interchangeable covering 160 is in placethe function of the input key 125 is redefined. When in the defaultconfiguration, the function of the input key 125 is to enter a “1” intothe present running application. However, under the redefinition of thefunction of the input key 125 that occurs as a result of theinterchangeable covering 160, the function of the input key 125 isredefined such that, when pressed, a “#” is entered into the presentrunning application. Similarly the other keys corresponding to thenumeric key pay are mapped; e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, *, 0, and #keys are mapped to #, 0, *, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 keys,respectively.

[0036] In other embodiments, the interchangeable covering 160 containssubstitute keys for the modified mobile communications device 200instead of keycaps. For example, in one embodiment the input keys on themobile communications device 110 comprise a QWERTY keyboard. In thisembodiment, instead of providing keycaps 155 157 to cover the existingkeys 125 127 of the mobile communications device 110, replacement keysare provided. In an embodiment where replacement keys are provided, thekeys 125 127 of the mobile communications device 110 are disabled fromsupplying input to the modified mobile communications device 200. Inthis embodiment, the electronic components contained within theinterchangeable covering 160 will also include the logic (or portion ofthe logic along with resource locators for locating the remaining logic)to support capturing key input from key presses of the keys on theinterchangeable covering 160. The interface utilized to provideconfiguration data from the interchangeable covering 160 to the mobilecommunications device 110, as described below, can also be used totransfer the key input to the modified mobile communications device 200.In another embodiment, a second interface separate from the interfaceused to transfer the configuration data and/or logic from theinterchangeable covering 160 to the mobile communications device 110 isused to transfer key input data from the interchangeable covering 160 tothe mobile communications device 110.

[0037]FIG. 3 illustrates the modified mobile communications device 200properly oriented for use. As shown by the arrows of FIG. 2, themodified mobile communications device 200 is properly oriented in amanner such that the mobile communications device 110 portion of themodified mobile communications device 200 is inverted relative to itsorientation when properly oriented in the default configuration. In thismodified configuration, the functions of the input keys 125 127, withthe new keycap coverings 155 157, are modified in such a manner as toallow for input keys 125 127 with the same input function to be orientedthe same relative to each other with the phone reoriented. For example,in the default configuration, input key 127, e.g. the “1” key, is to theleft of input key 128 and above and to the right of input key 129. Withthe redefinition of the keys and the reorientation of the modifiedmobile communications device 200, the relative location of the “1” key225 with respect to the other input keys 228 229 remains unchanged. Asshown in FIG. 3, when the modified mobile communications device 200 isproperly oriented, the display device 115 is located below the inputkeys 225-229. In addition, the text 221 is properly oriented withrespect to the proper usage for the modified mobile communicationsdevice 200. Thus, in this embodiment, whereas the default inputorientation of the inputs keys complements the default orientation frombeneath, the interchangeable covering 160 reorients the input keys tocomplement the display orientation from above.

[0038] In another embodiment, a mobile communications device in the formof a wireless mobile phone contains a display device and input keys suchthat, when properly oriented in a default configuration, the input keyscomplement the display orientation from above. In this embodiment, aninterchangeable covering reorients the inputs keys and displayorientation such that, when properly oriented, the modified input keyscomplement the modified display orientation from below.

[0039]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a top view of a mobile communicationsdevice 110 and an interchangeable covering 160, respectively, inaccordance with one embodiment. The mobile communications device 110 hascontact pads 435 attach to it for exchange of electronic data withinterchangeable covering 160. These contact pads are connected toelectronic components (not shown) contained within the mobilecommunications device 110. Similarly, interchangeable covering 160 alsocontains contact pads 425 such that, when slid in place around mobilecommunications device 110, both sets of contacts 425 435 mate. When thecontacts mate 590, as shown in FIG. 5, data is communicated betweenelectronic devices present in the mobile communications device 110 andelectronic devices 420 in interchangeable covering 160.

[0040] Shown in FIG. 4B is an electronic device 420 containingconfiguration data regarding changes in functionality for the displaydevice 115 and input keys 125 127 of the mobile communications device110. In one embodiment, the electronic device 420 comprises a type ofmemory device; such as a subscriber identity module (SIM), a Read OnlyMemory (ROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) device, aElectrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) device andthe like. In another embodiment, the electronic device 420 comprisesanother form of integrated circuit (IC) device such as a full custom IC,a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an Application Specific StandardProduct (ASSP) and the like. In other embodiments, the electronic deviceis a combination of electronic devices.

[0041] In various embodiments of the invention, the interchangeablecovering 160 contains a wraparound covering, covering multiple surfacesof mobile communication device 110, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In alternateembodiments, the interchangeable cover incorporated with the teachingsof the present invention may principally cover only one surface ofmobile communication device 110, such as a front surface or a backsurface.

[0042] While the term “cover” as used herein may come in a variety ofembodiments, principally covering one or more surfaces of the mobilecommunication device, however, the term does not include, a “card” likepart. That is, a part having the form factor of a “credit card”, aPCMCIA card, a PC card, a Compact Flash card and so forth, is not a“cover”, for the purpose of the present application. [PCMCIA=PersonalComputer Memory Card International Association.]

[0043] In one embodiment, the interchangeable covering 160 comprises anultra thin Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display device in the displayarea 150 of the interchangeable covering 160. This LCD display devicereplaces the display device 115 of the mobile communications device 110with that provided by interchangeable covering 160. In anotherembodiment, the interchangeable covering 160 contains a display area 150either left open or comprised of a transparent material. In the formercase, the display device 115 of the mobile communications device 110 isused as the display device of the modified mobile communications device.In such an embodiment, the data contained in the electronic component420 of the interchangeable covering 160 operates to modify theinformation to be displayed on the display device 115 of the mobilecommunications device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the textinformation that is to be displayed on display screen 120 is to bealtered, e.g. reoriented. The altered text will be displayed in such amanner that, when viewed with the device “inverted” from its normalposition, the text will appear in a proper viewing position.

[0044]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of a mobilecommunications device 610 and an interchangeable covering 660,respectively. In this embodiment, mobile communications device 610contains a display device 615 disposed to the left of input keys 620 ina default configuration. When the interchangeable covering 660 isconnected to the mobile communications device 610, the display device615 and input keys 620 have their functions redefined.

[0045]FIG. 6A illustrates a mobile communications device 610 containinga QWERTY keyboard 620, in accordance with one embodiment. In a defaultorientation such that the display device 615 is oriented to the left ofthe QWERTY keyboard 620, the top row of the keys contain defaultfunctions. These default functions, from left to right, are such thatwhen key 622 is pressed, a value corresponding to a “1” is entered intothe current application. Similar types of values are entered into thecurrent application as the other keys are pressed. For example, thesecond row 632 of keys contains a standard QWERTY . . . functionality ofa QWERTY keyboard, such that when one of these keys are pressed, thecorresponding value is entered into the present application. Similarlythe third row contains a standard “ASDFG . . . ” functionality of aQWERTY keyboard. The fourth row contains a standard “ZXCVB . . . ”functionality of a QWERTY keyboard. Finally, the fifth row in thisembodiment illustrates a row containing a spacebar and additionalspecial keys. This specific configuration is shown as an exemplaryconfiguration. For example, in another embodiment, the top level numerickeys are not present. In this embodiment, the function associated witheach key is marked in the lower right hand corner of the keycap.

[0046]FIG. 6B illustrates an interchangeable covering 660 in accordancewith one embodiment. Note that, as illustrated in this embodiment,“covering” is only meant to imply a device that is cable of interfacingwith the mobile communications device 610 so that a portion of themobile communication device 610 is covered by the interchangeablecovering 660. The interchangeable covering 660 contains electricalcontacts 655 on side 645 of the interchangeable covering 660. Theseelectrical contacts 655 are for interfacing with electrical contacts(not shown) on side 665 of the mobile communications device 610. Thecontacts on the interchangeable covering 660 are coupled to electroniccomponents 650 which contain reconfiguration data for mobilecommunications device 610. In another embodiment, a contactlessenvironment exists for transferring reconfiguration data from electroniccomponents 650 to the mobile communications device 610. For example, insuch an embodiment, contacts 655 are radio frequency (RF) transmittingantennas. These antennas send data at a sufficient power levels to RFreceivers in the mobile communications device 610 that allow for thetransfer of data to the mobile communications device 610 from theinterchangeable covering 660.

[0047]FIG. 7 illustrates a modified mobile communications device 700, inaccordance with one embodiment. This modified mobile communicationsdevice 700 comprises mobile communications device 610 modified by thereconfiguration data stored in the interchangeable covering 660. Thereconfiguration data (or logic with or without complementary resourcelocators for additional logic) stored in electronic components 650 ofthe interchangeable covering 660 provides data and/or logic on thereconfiguration of the display orientation of text displayed on displaydevice 615 relative to the input keys 620. As shown in FIG. 7,information displayed upright and at the top right of the screen 617 ina default orientation is shown “upside down” and at the bottom left ofthe screen 717 in the modified configuration.

[0048] In addition to facilitating the modification of the display ofinformation on the screen 717, the configuration data providesinformation on the redefining of the functions of input keys 620 to themobile communications device 610. For example, where as the first key onthe second row 632 in the default configuration provides functionalitysuch that pressing the key will input to the application a “Q”, in themodified configuration same functionality will be provide by the lastkey on the forth row 633. The remaining keys are likewise redefined bythe configuration data. In the embodiment shown, the keycaps containlabels indicating both key functionalities.

[0049]FIG. 8 illustrates the modified mobile communications device 700of FIG. 7 reoriented with the display device 615 oriented to the rightof the QWERTY keypad 620. As shown, the modified display of information617 appears properly oriented with this orientation of the modifiedmobile communications device 700. In addition, in this embodiment, thekey cap markings are such that the input keys display, in the lowerright hand corner, the proper function of the input keys. Thus, in thisembodiment, by modifying the mobile communications device 610 with theinterchangeable covering 660, effectively a mobile communications devicewith a left hand oriented display can be transformed into a mobilecommunications device with a right hand oriented display device.

[0050] In another embodiment, a mobile communications device in the formof a person digital assistant (PDA) contains a right hand orienteddisplay device. In this embodiment, the mobile communications device canbe modified by an interchangeable covering to provide a modified mobilecommunications device with a left hand oriented display device.

[0051] In another embodiment, the keypads are a touch sensitive LCDdisplay device. The LCD display is capable of showing the properlydefined values for present keypad definitions.

[0052]FIG. 9A illustrates a mobile communications device 910, inaccordance with one embodiment. FIGS. 9B and 9C illustrate aninterchangeable covering 920 for the mobile communications device 910 ofFIG. 9A. FIG. 9B illustrates the face side of the interchangeablecovering 920. FIG. 9C illustrates the back side of the interchangeablecovering 920 that will mate with the mobile communications device 910.The mobile communications device contains a numeric input keypad 970 anda display device 980. In a default configuration, the numeric inputkeypad 970 and its constituent keys complement the orientation of thedisplay device 980. As shown in FIG. 9A, the mobile communicationsdevice 910 is oriented with the numeric input keypad 970 above thedisplay device 980 with the display device 980 displaying text 985 thatis properly oriented for a conventional user of the mobilecommunications device 910.

[0053] The mobile communications device 910 contains attachment points930 for attachment of an interchange covering 920. As shown in FIG. 9C,the back side of interchangeable covering 920 has complementaryattachment points 932 for attachment to the mobile communications device910. In this embodiment, the mobile communications device 910 containstwo sides which have a curvature 912 914. Similarly, the interchangeablecovering comprises sides with curvatures 922 924. The mobilecommunications device 910 contains a contactless coupler 940 tofacilitate transfer of configuration data (or logic with or withoutcomplementary resource locators for additional logic) from theinterchangeable covering 920. In this embodiment, the contactlesscoupler contains an RF transceiver for communication with theinterchangeable covering 920. The interchangeable covering 920 alsocontains a complementary contactless coupler comprising a transceiver945 to facilitate transfer of configuration data to the mobilecommunications device 910.

[0054]FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a modified mobile communicationsdevice 1000. This modified mobile communications device 1000 is theresult of the reorientation of the display and the key functions ofmobile communications device 910 in view of the configuration datatransferred from the interchangeable covering 920. FIG. 10A illustratesthe reoriented display test 1085 and key functions 1070. FIG. 10Billustrates the device in an inverted orientation such that the devicehas proper display 1087 and keypad 1072 orientation to facilitate use ofthe modified mobile communications device 1000 by a user.

[0055]FIG. 11 illustrates an architectural view of one embodiment of amobile communications device compatible with the teachings of thepresent invention. As illustrated, mobile communication assembly 1100includes elements found in conventional mobile communication devices,such as processor 1102, digital signal processor (DSP) 1104,non-volatile memory 1106, and general-purpose input/output (GPIO)interface 1108. For the illustrated embodiment, mobile communicationdevice 1100 also advantageously includes contact pins 1116 forming aninterface to facilitate transfer of data to and from interchangeablecovering 160. However, in other embodiments mobile communication device1100 may advantageously include transmit/receive logic 1112 (in placeof, or in addition to contact pins 1116) to form a contactless interfaceto facilitate transfer of data to and from interchangeable covering 920.

[0056]FIG. 12 illustrates an electronic component 1200 of aninterchangeable covering, in accordance with one embodiment.Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) device 1210contains configuration data (or logic with or without complementaryresource locators for additional logic) programmed into it. In thisembodiment, an embedded controller 1220 reads configuration data fromEEPROM device 1210. The embedded controller 1220 will provide the mobilecommunications device with the configuration data (or logic with orwithout complementary resource locators for additional logic) read fromthe EEPROM device 1210. The embedded controller 1220 provides in theinformation to the mobile communications device through contact pads1230 on the interchangeable covering.

[0057] In one embodiment, the user of the modified mobile communicationsdevice has the ability to reconfigure functions associated with inputkeys. In such an embodiment, the microcontroller 1220 can be used towrite the new configuration data to the EEPROM 1230.

[0058]FIG. 13 illustrates various other redefinitions and reorientationsof the input keypad and display screen of a mobile communication device,in accordance with various alternate embodiments. As illustrated, inaddition to the employment of an interchangeable cover, with key capswith different labels or a replacement keypad, and a correspondingdisplay opening, transparent window or a replacement display(hereinafter, simply COVER) to redefine and reorient the input keypadand the display screen of a mobile communication device from

[0059] (a) a keypad “on top” orientation 1302 to or keypad “beneath”orientation 1306, or vice versa, or

[0060] (b) from a keypad “on the left” orientation 1308 to a keypad “onthe right” orientation 1304, or vice versa,

[0061] COVER may be employed to redefine and reorient the input keypadand the display screen of a mobile communication device

[0062] (c) from a keypad “on top” orientation 1302 to or keypad “on theright” 1304 or keypad “on the left” orientation 1308,

[0063] (d) from a keypad “on the right” orientation 1304 to or keypad“on top” 1302 or keypad “beneath” orientation 1306,

[0064] (e) from a keypad “beneath” orientation 1306 to or keypad “on theright” 1304 or keypad “on the left” orientation 1308,

[0065] (f) from a keypad “on the left” orientation 1308 to or keypad “ontop” 1302 or keypad “beneath” orientation 1306.

[0066] In other words, COVER in addition to being able to be employed toredefine and reorient a keypad and a display screen of a mobilecommunication device from a first complementary orientation to a secondcomplementary orientation that is substantially 180 degrees rotated fromthe first complementary orientation, COVER may be employed to redefineand reorient a keypad and a display screen of a mobile communicationdevice from a first complementary orientation to a second complementaryorientation that is substantially 90 degrees rotated (also referred toas an orthogonal complementary orientation).

[0067] Moreover, COVER, in particular, the type with a replacementkeypad, in addition to being able to be employed to redefine numerickeys of a numeric keypad or alphanumeric keys of a QWERTY keyboard, suchCOVER may be employed to replace a numeric keypad with a QWERTY keyboardor vice versa.

[0068] As can be seen from the above description, a novel design isproposed for a mobile communication device. This device allows for thereorientation of the mobile communication device. The above descriptionof illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is describedin the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of,and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrativepurposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scopeof the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.In particular, while the present invention has been described withmobile communication devices having “uni-bodies”, the present inventionmay also be practiced on mobile communication devices having multi-partor portion bodies, such as a wireless mobile phone of the “flip” type,commonly referred to as a “flip” phone.

[0069] These modification can be made to the invention in light of theabove detailed description. The terms used in the following claimsshould not be construed to limit the invention to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, thescope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the followingclaims, which are to be construed in accordance with establish doctrinesof claim interpretation.

1. An apparatus comprising: a first set of at least one electroniccomponent; a body encasing said first set of at least one electroniccomponent; a display screen disposed on said body and coupled to saidfirst set of at least one electronic component; a first plurality ofinput keys disposed on said body and coupled to said first set of atleast one electronic component, each of said plurality of input keyshaving a default function, and designed to be used in a default inputorientation complementary to a default display orientation fordisplaying information on the display screen; and an interchangeablecover, designed to at least partially cover said body including at leastone of said first plurality of input keys, the interchangeable coverhaving a second set of at least one electronic component embedded withinsaid interchangeable cover, and at least data stored in said second setof at least one electronic component, to at least facilitate in part inredefining the function of at least one of said first input keys andre-orientating the display of information on the display screen and thefirst input keys to a second complementary orientation that issubstantially orthogonal to the default complementary orientation. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the default input orientation of thefirst plurality of input keys complements the default displayorientation of displaying information on the display screen from aselected one of beneath and displaying of information on the displayscreen from a selected one of a left side and right side of the displayscreen, after attachment of the interchangeable cover.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the default input orientation of the first pluralityof input keys complements the default display orientation of displayinginformation on the display screen from a selected one of a left side anda right side, and the first input keys are effectively re-oriented tocomplement the displaying of information on the display screen from aselected one of above and beneath of the display screen, afterattachment of the interchangeable cover.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the interchangeable cover further comprises a plurality of keycaps corresponding to the first plurality of keys, the plurality of keycaps having labels that facilitate said redefinitions andreorientations.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interchangeablecover further comprises a second plurality of keys superseding the firstplurality of keys, to facilitate said redefinitions and reorientions. 6.The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first plurality of keys form aselected one of a numeric keypad and a QWERTY key pad, and the secondplurality of keys form the other one of the a numeric keypad and aQWERTY key pad.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interchangeablecover further comprises a selected one of an opening and a transparentwindow corresponding to the display screen to enable the display screento be visible even after attachment of the interchangeable cover.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable cover furthercomprises another display screen to supersede the display screen.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a selected one of awireless mobile phone and a personal digital assistant.
 10. A mobilecommunications device comprising: means for displaying information on ascreen of a first assembly; means for receiving input from a pluralityof input keys of the first assembly; and means for receivingconfiguration data from a second assembly, wherein the configurationdata contribute at least in part to cause the plurality of input keys tobe redefined from a first definition having a first orientation tocomplement a first display orientation of information on the displaymeans, to a second definition having a second orientation to complementa second display orientation of information on the display means, thefirst and second orientations are orthogonal to each other.
 11. Awireless mobile phone comprising: a first set of at least one electroniccomponent; a body encasing said first set of at least one electroniccomponent; a display screen disposed on said body and coupled to saidfirst set of at least one electronic component; a first plurality ofinput keys disposed on said body and coupled to said first set of atleast one electronic component, each of said plurality of input keyshaving a default function, and designed to be used in a default inputorientation complementary to a default display orientation of displayinginformation on the display screen; and an interchangeable cover;designed to at least partially cover said body including at least one ofsaid first plurality of input keys, the interchangeable cover having asecond set of at least one electronic component embedded within saidinterchangeable cover, and at least data stored in said second set of atleast one electronic component, to at least facilitate in part inredefining the function of at least one of said first input keys andre-orienting the display of information on the display screen and thefirst input keys to a second complementary orientation that isorthogonal to the default complementary orientation.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the default input orientation of the firstplurality of input keys complements the default display orientation ofdisplaying information on the display screen from a selected one ofabove and beneath, and the first input keys ate effectively re-orientedto complement the displaying of information on the display screen from aselected one of a left side and a right side of the display screen,after attachment of the interchangeable cover.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the default input orientation of the first pluralityof input keys complements the default display orientation of pluralityof input keys complements the default display orientation of displayinginformation on the display screen from a selected one of a left side andright side, and the first input keys are effectively re-oriented tocomplement the displaying of information on the display screen from aselected one of the above and beneath the display screen, afterattachment of the interchangeable cover.
 14. The wireless mobile phoneof claim 11, wherein said mobile phone comprises a plurality of bodyportions, and said body is a first of said body portions.
 15. Aninterchangeable cover comprising: a non-card type cover body; and anelectronic component disposed on a surface of the cover body, havingdata or logic to at least contribute to causing one or more input keysof a mobile communication device mated with the interchangeable cover tobe redefined and reoriented to complement displaying of information on adisplay of the wireless communication device in a reoriented manner thatis orthogonal to an original orientation.
 16. The interchangeable coverof claim 15, wherein the electronic component comprises data or logic toat least contribute to redefining and reorienting the one or more inputkeys to complement displaying of information on the display from aninitial selected one of the above and beneath orientation to areoriented selected one of a left side and a right side orientation. 17.The interchangeable cover of claim 15, wherein the electronic componentcomprises data or logic to at least contribute to redefining andreorienting the covered one or more input keys to complement displayingof information on the display from an initial selected one of a leftside and a right side
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theinterchangeable cover further comprises a plurality of key capscorresponding to the first plurality of keys, the plurality of key capshaving labels that facilitate said redefinitions and reorientations. 19.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the interchangeable cover furthercomprises a second plurality of keys superseding the first plurality ofkeys, to facilitate said redefinitions and reorientations.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of keys form aselected one of a numeric keypad and a QWERTY keypad, and the secondplurality of keys form the other one of the numeric keypad and theQWERTY keypad.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theinterchangeable cover further comprises a selected one of an opening anda transparent window corresponding to the display screen to enable thedisplay screen to be visible even after attachment of theinterchangeable cover.
 22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein theinterchangeable cover further comprises another display screen tosupersede the display screen.
 23. The interchangeable cover of claim 15,wherein the cover body is substantially U-shaped.
 24. Theinterchangeable cover of claim 15, wherein the cover body is a selectedone of a non-card type front plate and a non-card type back plate.